Sig Byrd: The Queen of the Hidden Ward, Et Alii

In this March 25, 1952, Sig Byrd column we meet characters like E.M. Milburn, who sold the Houston Press at the River Oaks Shopping Center; Ming Bing Wu, a former captain in the Chinese air force who waited on customers at the Stratford New China; and Cokey Corinne, a denizen of Hermann Square who wants money for coke, but not the drink.

You know, at the end of Byrd’s column, I couldn’t help but feel a weird sense of pride in my hometown.

Oh yes…these people are truly enchanting. Yet, as you say, they’re much like you and me and our neighbors. People are wonderful — especially in fabulous Houston.